discretion
noun [uncountable]Word Family
Idioms - discreet adjective (≠ indiscreet)
- discretion noun (≠ indiscretion)
the freedom or power to decide what should be done in a particular situation 自行决定的自由；自行决定权 I'll leave it up to you to use your discretion. 我把这件事留给你自己斟酌决定。 How much to tell terminally ill patients is left to the discretion of the doctor. 晚期病人的病情让本人知道多少由医生自行决定。
Extra Examples‘Do you want me to do the job myself or hire a photographer?’ ‘I'll leave it to your discretion.’ “ 你想让我自己拍摄还是雇个摄影师？” “你自己拿主意吧。” Judges should be given more discretion over sentencing. 法官在量刑上应得到更大的自由裁量权。 She has considerable discretion as to how the money is spent. 钱该怎么花，她有相当大的自主权。 The courts exercise discretion in the area of minor traffic violations. 法庭可酌情处理轻微的交通违法行为。 The president used his executive discretion to pardon the two men. 总统行使自己的行政酌处权赦免了这两个人。 The school governors have absolute discretion over which pupils they admit. 对于招收学生， 校董有绝对的自主权。 They give themselves complete discretion as to what information they will hand out. 他们赋予自己发布信息的完全自主权。 They would like local authorities to be given greater discretion as to how the money is spent. 他们希望地方当局有更大的自主权决定资金的运用。 We have discretion about how much to charge. 我们有权决定收取多少费用。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- broad
- considerable
- full
- …
- have
- exercise
- use
- …
- at somebody’s discretion
- discretion about
- discretion as to
- …
- an abuse of discretion
- the exercise of discretion
- leave something to somebody’s (own) discretion
- …
care in what you say or do, in order to keep something secret or to avoid causing difficulty for somebody or making them feel embarrassed; the quality of being discreet 谨慎；慎重；审慎 This is confidential, but I know that I can rely on your discretion. 这是机密，不过我知道你靠得住。 Jane is the soul of discretion (= you can trust her). 简是谨慎的化身。 Use the utmost discretion when you talk to her. 当你和她说话时，要非常谨慎。
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesc1to conduct enquiries with discretion. 谨慎地进行查问 to act with discretion 谨慎行事 This case calls for the utmost discretion. 这个情况需要绝对谨慎处理。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- the utmost
- call for
- need
- require
- …
- with discretion
- a lack of discretion
- a need for discretion
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense‘ to show good judgement’): via Old French from Latin discretio(n-) ‘separation’ (in late Latin ‘discernment’), from discernere, from dis- ‘apart’ + cernere ‘to separate’.
Idioms
at somebody’s discretion
discretion is the better part of valour
- (saying)
you should avoid danger and not take unnecessary risks 谨慎即大勇；慎重为勇敢之本